Thanks so much for the feedback- I do have a quick question. The equipment kit came with small packets of CBrite cleanser (which I'm assuming is for cleanup). I'd like to start the sanitizing process today...is there a product you'd recommend for the stainless steel brew kettle and plastic fermenters?

I've been doing the Texas Crutch to reduce smoking times to about 6 hours. Smoke it for 3, wrap it in foil and add some liquid (Coke, if you like) and smoke it for a couple more. Un-wrap it and finish.

Without doing this, I need 10 - 12 hours to get it so the meat will pull.

I've definitely got to try the crutch on my next butt - last one took 14 hours

Honestly in most cases it's never even asked. If you set up and account you can actually fill out your shipping info on line and directly print your label. Then all you do is drop off your package and they don't even ask you anything:)

Seriously, this is the exact way to do it. Don't have to lie and no questions asked.

Next test was a 7 lb butt. I put around 8 to 10 lb of charcoal and lit it from one side. Before long I dialed in the heat around 220-230F and it got as high as 245F one time. The time I had in mind was about 7 hours and in that time I got to 195F and then closed the dampers.

What are you using to measure your temps? 1 hour per pound seems awfully quick for a 225F smoke. Or maybe mine just take longer but I'm more in the 1.5 to 2 hour per pound range at 225F.

I'm piggybacking on this because I'm guessing the update started my problems. Before I left for NHC I was able to see new Unread messages on Tapatalk on android, then during my trip suddenly there were never any unread messages. I could go in and manually check each forum and see new messages though.

Anyone else have a similar issue?

I don't know how it appears on Android but, on the regular site, it happens frequently. What'll happen is that, when you click on 'Unread', you'll sometimes get "No unread topics found since your last visit. Click here to try all unread topics." and you just know there've been new posts. Defintely click on the "Click here" part. Again for the regular site, doing that usually clears up the issue.